College Baseball starts in January and continues through most of June. Also in January, Winter Celebration is in lights at The Garfield Park Conservatory. See how the world celebrates Christmas with the Christmas Around the World in the first week of January at the Chicago Cultural Center. February sees the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest which is hosted by the Chicago’s Children Museum. At McCormick Place for two weeks in February is the Auto Show which is the country’s oldest contemporary motor show. At Navy Pier at the end of March is the Bike Show as well as the Comedysportz March Madness which for nearly two decades has entertained crowds with comedy entertainment. The St Patrick’s Day Parade also takes place in March and the celebrations include turning the Chicago river green.

The parade begins at noon on Dearborn and then down State Street Mall. April sees the start of the Major League Baseball season and for many Americans it signals the start of Spring. The city’s main baseball teams are the Chicago Cubs and the White Sox. On a sporting theme again, there is also Major League Soccer, with the local team being Chicago Fire. April Fool’s Day and Easter at the Children’s Museum are an opportunity for children to become acquainted with the museum and enjoy games too. For those who enjoy comedy there is the Chicago Improv Festival which has been around for nearly a decade now. May sees the Memorial Day Parade when the country honours its veterans. It begins with a ceremony at the Logan Memorial in Grant Park at 11am.

There is also Arts Chicago when you get the chance to sample contemporary and modern art from 200 galleries at the Festival Hall, Navy Pier. More comedy with the Chicago Comedy festival where performers from around the world entertain at various venues throughout the city. June is the Chicago Blues and Chicago Gospel Festivals.

"The biggest blues festival in the world showcases the talents of some of the biggest names in the world of music."

This is at the Petrillo Music Shells, Grant Park. Internet Street Fair in June is chance to see some of the latest technology. It is also somewhere for professionals within that community to see what is cutting edge and what is passé.

June is also when the Annual Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade hits town. July is the time for the Taste of Chicago when over 60 restaurants throughout the city showcase their food. There is also free entertainment. Music is the order of the day with the Chicago Summerdance when around 40 bands perform a variety of dance and music styles at the Spirit if Music Garden. In August there is the Air and Water Show when two million spectators watch military aircraft perform stunts on the Waterfront. Admission is free. The largest underground film festival takes place in Chicago in August at the Fine Arts Theatre. Get your hips moving for Viva! which is Chicago’s annual latin music festival. Expect also to see artwork, traditional food at Grant Park in the last weekend of August. September sees the start of the NFL (National Football League)which will ultimately lead to the play offs and the Superbowl.

"The local team to cheer on is the Chicago Bears. The same month there is the College football with names such as the Illinois Illini, the North Illinois Huskies, the Northwestern Wildcats and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. September is also the world’s largest free jazz festival at Grant Park and is sponsored by the Jazz Institute of Chicago. This month too is the County Fair where you can enjoy homemade produce, pie eating contests and pony rides. The venue is Garfield Park."

The middle of the month is Mexican Independence Day when you will get the chance to hear mariachi bands, enjoy Mexican food and see the floats as they pass from Albany Avenue to Kostner Street. October sees more sport as the Chicago Blackhawks compete in the NHL (National Hockey League). There is also SOFA Chicago when 92 international art galleries and dealers will have exhibitions at the Sculpture, Objects and Functional Art Exposition. Located at Navy Pier. Culture again at the International Film Festival hits town as movies from all over the world are shown at the Chicago and Music Box Theatres and Loews Cineplex.

It is a city that loves its sports and in November you get the chance to cheer on the Chicago Bulls as the NBA season starts. This is also joined by the college basketball which includes names such as the Chicago State Cougars and the Loyola Chicago Ramblers. November is also the Pow Wow annual festival at the American Indian Centre of Chicago. The last week of November is gearing up for Christmas with thousands gathering to see the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Daley Plaza. There is also a festive marketplace with an appearance from Santa Claus. In December why not serenade the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo with the city’s annual Caroling the animals event. Santa even feeds them too. A taste of Europe is what you will get at the Christkindlmarket on Daley Plaza with timbered stalls and festive gifts. The Apollo Chorus sings their version of Handel’s Messiah at the Symphony Centre the week before Christmas.